This private-island experience among the offshore atolls of Belize merges a rustic, back-to-nature resort experience with the untouched and unspoiled reefs that divers dream of. Picture turquoise water and golden sand framed by a thick band of palm trees, with nothing but blue sky all around. At Blackbird Caye Resort, it’s nature at its best. The location is one of the best in Belize as it’s one of the closest resorts to the world-famous Great Blue Hole dive site, as well as Half Moon Caye, one of the most marine-life-rich atolls of the world’s second largest barrier reef. The resort is set on the only atoll in the Turneffe Atoll group, home to mangroves— a known breeding ground for juvenile fish that then amplify the abundance of the surrounding reefs.

From Blackbird, a PADI Five Star Resort, many of the must-do, bucket-list dive sites of Belize are less than 30 minutes away by boat. Other Belize operators that dive these same sites as day trips require three-hour boat rides to reach the same spots. Turneffe Atoll remains an epicenter of Belize diving for its coral-covered walls, abundance of cruising blacktip sharks and schools of horse-eye jacks that surround divers. It’s also prized for its epic 100-foot visibility, making it easier to spot the sharks, eagle rays and loggerhead turtles found on most dives.

The on-island experience consists of 20 cabanas in four room categories, offered at all-inclusive weekly rates that include diving or snorkeling packages. One of the more affordable options, the deluxe cabana, is set within the flora of the island, and offers guests a private porch with a hammock. Upgrade to a beach villa to be seaside, just steps from the water’s edge. The superior cabana room category puts you closer to the reefs, and the triplex cabana allows groups to stay close together and enjoy downtime apart. All dive packages are designed to make a Belize vacation as easy as possible. Included in the price are airport pickups and transfers for Saturday arrivals and departures; those not traveling on a Saturday can take advantage of the resort’s private airstrip and fly directly to the resort.

Scuba packages include three dives and three meals a day, plus excursions to the Great Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye National Monument, and the wreck of the Witconcrete—the first wreck dive in Belize and one of the largest in the Caribbean. This wreck lies in the resort’s front yard, giving guests ample access to explore what’s become another oasis for passing marine life. Use of kayaks is also included, giving you one more way to explore these 5 acres right on the edge of where the atoll meets the great blue beyond—and where anything is possible.

2024 Readers Choice Awards

Blackbird Caye Resort won six awards in this year’s Readers Choice survey, including Quality of the Resort, Quality of the Rooms, Quality of Staff and Value of Resort.

Need To Know

What To Do

A unique day trip is the outing to Half Moon Caye, which includes a barbecue on the island followed by a night dive at the site Aquarium. In between, guests have time to walk around and explore the island, including laying eyes on the colony of red-footed booby birds that call it home 10 months a year.

Contact Info

blackbirdresort.com

866-909-REEF

[email protected]